Method of removing gas pockets from dough



Feb. 26, 1929. 1,703,182 A. H. TESS 1N I METHOD OF REMOVING GAS POCKETSFROM DOUGH Filed Feb. 6, 1928 WM ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

-UNITED STATES 1,703,182 PATENT- OFFICE.

ARTHUR H. TESSIN, OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO BAKER PERKINS (70M-PANY, INC., OF SAGINA'W, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF NEW. YORK.

METHOD OF REMOVING GAS POCKETS FROM DOUGH.

Application filed February 6, 1928. Serial No. 252,181.

This invention relates to the baking art and pertains more particularlyto a method of dividing a dough mass into pieces of uniform weight, aswell as uniform volume. The method, while capable. of being carried outby automatic machinery, may also be per formed by hand. Therefore, whileI illustrate diagrammatically a mechanical means, it will be understoodthat the claimed invention is in the method or mode of operation, not inthe machine.

In my co-pending. application, Serial No. 252,130 filed-Feb. 6, 1928, Ihave shown and claimed a preferred mechanism for carrying out thismethod. I I

Irf a properly mixed dough mass the gluten has been developed to a statein which it is extremely tenacious and can be sheeted out by.stretching, somewhat like thin rubber.

l the mass by fermentation not only forms small bubbles, but frequentlylmakes large cavities of irregular shape t roughout the mass, especiallyif the dough is much handled 5 between the mixing and the dough-dividipgoperations. If these pockets are large and 1rregularly distributed,loaves of unequal weight will be roduced, provided the dough mass isdivide into pieces of equal volume, the loaves with the largest gas,pockets being lightest in weight.

The food inspection regulations of most countries require. extremeaccuracy in the weight of the finished loaves, their size and texturebeing a matter of no importance to the food inspector.-

It is, therefore, 'baking that all large gas pockets beeliminated fromthe dough mass prior to its being di- 40 vided into pieces of uniformvolume.

. On account of the tenacity of the gluten it is extremely diiiicult toget the gas'. out ofa dough piece by pounding, rolling or like handlingunder atmospheric pressure. More.- over, such methods are undesirable,because the less the dough is punished after mixing is completed, thebetter. It is, therefore, an object of my present method to provide ahanv dlin that will quickly and positively-deprive the ough mass of itslarger gas pockets and render it practically homogeneous throughout. 7

pieces-of uniform weight from dough mzaterial that is characterized byhaving variant In this condition gas that is generated in important incommercial The method as claimed is for producing p gas pocketsscattered through it. The method consists in subjecting a dough portionto pressure greater than atmospheric, thrusting itthrough with apiercing implement that penetrates the walls of the pockets'ofcompressed gas, simultaneously coatin with lubricant, such as edibleoil, the dough surfaces that have been formed by piercing, so thatadhesion alon said surfaces is weakened and there'is forme a gas-ventingchannel 'of least resistance from the gas pockets to a point outsidesaid receptacle, and adding to the dou h portion a volume of doughequivalent to t e volume of gas so liberated.

The dough mass, which has just been.freed of its larger gas pocket andbuilt up to its predetermined volume, is then cut off from the mam bodyof dough in pieces of uniform volume and uniform weight.

In carrying out my improved process I take a portion of previously mixeddough, represented diagrammatically in the sectional .view ofthe-drawing and designated by numeral 1., This portion, like the mainbatch, contains gas pockets 2 that normally increase 1n size so long asfermentaiton continues. This dough portion is placed in aclosed'container suchas the dough pocket 3 of a dividmg machine. In thisclosed vessel the dou h is subjected to heavy pressure,-which may eapplied externally by means of a plunger 4. While the mass is underpressure it is pierced throughout by any suitable piercing implements,such as rods 5 that enter the closed pocket 3 through openings 6 in oneof its walls andpieroe through the dough in the manner indicatedbydotted lines.

The rods 5 are lubricated by edible oil or any equivalent substance thatis capable of destroying or of greatly reducing the normal adhesion.between the sticky dough and the surface of the piercing implement 5.

Any gas pocket, as 2, while subjected to heavy pressure by plunger 4 ispunctured by the previously oiled implement 5. I The gas immediatelyescapes .to the atmosphere through the holes' 6, following thepath ofleast resistance, which is along the rod 5. where the adhesion of thedough to the rod has been destroyed or at least weakened by the oil. IUpon collapse of the large gas pockets when pierced, thespace formerlyoccu-' ied by them fills with dough, and the resultmg shrinkage issimultaneously made up by more dough injected by, plunger 4, or other Kportion within the receptacle 'ized by variant gas pockets scatteredtherethrough which consists in enclosing a portion of the material in-areceptacle, subjecting the ,to pressure greater than atmospheric, thrsti ng a piercing implement into thereceptacle and piercing the walls ofsaid as pockets, simultaneously coating with lu% faces that are severedby piercing, whereby adhesion at said severed surfaces is weakenedricant the dough surand there is formed a gas venting channel of leastresistance extending from said pockets to a i ing point outside saidreceptacle,.and inject-' equivalent to the volume of gas so liberated.

2. The method of producing pieces of uni- 25. i into the receptacle avolume 'of dough form weight from dough materialcharacterized by variantgas pockets scattered therethrough which consists in enclosing a portionof the material in a receptacle, subjecting the portion within thereceptacle to pressure,

greater than atmospheric, thrusting a plural ity of piercingimplementsinto the receptacle and piercing the walls of said gaspockets,

thereby forming gas venting channels of least resistance from saidpocketsto points outside said receptacle, and injecting into thereceptacle a volume of doughiequivalent to the volume of gas soliberated.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

' ARTHUR H. TES YSIN.

